From waste to color: IR-assisted extraction of functional colorants from pomegranate peel for dyeing eco-friendly antimicrobial fabrics

Infrared (IR) heating offers rapid, intense heat delivery and serves as a lower-cost alternative to conventional heating methods. Pomegranate peels represent a sustainable source of natural dyes and antibacterial polyphenols. This study explores the use of IR technology to extract these bioactive compounds for textile applications. Extraction parameters were optimized using IR heating, followed by dyeing of cotton and wool fabrics at 80 °C for 60 min to preserve the bioactivity of the compounds and achieve uniform coloration. Dyed fabrics were evaluated for color strength, color fastness properties, and antibacterial efficacy. IR heating significantly increased the yield of bioactive compounds from pomegranate peels compared to conventional heating. Dyed wool fabrics exhibited superior color strength and enhanced antimicrobial activity, specifically against S. aureus.